Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, Milan

If you are in Milan and you are passionate about history, forget the Duomo and rather visit Sant'Ambrogio. Its solid and austere lines make it the most beautiful church in Milan and one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy. Inside, mosaics and frescoes, and especially the Golden altar of Volvino. Finally the crypt, of great historical and archaeological interest, where lie the remains of Saint Ambrose and saints gervasius and protasius.

And as the second stage of the rediscovery of the city the choice fell on the basilica of Sant ' Ambrogio, our beloved patron. Not since high school not visiting this church and we were stunned and amazed by her beauty. Is an important monument of the epoch paleocristina and medieval as well as a central point of the history of the city of Milan and of the Ambrosian Church. Was built between 379 and 386 at the behest of the Bishop of Milan, Ambrose, whose remains are kept in the crypt next to the Saints gervasius and protasius. Waiting for our guide we entered the quadrangle, space that formerly housed the catechumens, but who later took a more open role where citizens gathered to religious and civil assemblies. We were impressed with the sacredness of the place composed of elegant arches supported by pillars flanked by engaged columns. Beautiful Romanesque capitals, some pre elements compounds, other animal and plant motifs of great beauty. Along the walls a wide lapidary collection and some fragments of frescoes. Notice the columns and architrave of the wonderful central portal and do not forget to focus on the wooden door panels and on the bronze lion picchiotti early medieval origin. The portico is the privileged place where you can admire the two bell towers, the right one, the oldest dating back to the 9th century and takes the form of a Tower Defense and the left one built in the twelfth century, designed by the same architect who designed the basilica. The Interior impresses with its simplicity, with ribbed vaults surmounted by galleries. The most valuable work, the high altar executed between 824 and 859 from Volvino, gold and silver foil lined by wooden ark worked with enamels and precious stones decorated on all four sides. On the back are depicted scenes from the life of Saint Ambrose, on the front of the figure of Christ the judge with episodes legacies. Above the altar is the Tabernacle which was commissioned by Angilberto II. Notice the four columns in red porphyry and the reliefs on the sides including Saint Ambrose with Saints gervasius and protasius. In the apse mosaic, largely rebuilt, with Christ pantocrator. Of great value also the Roman sarcophagus said to Stilicho, now incorporated into the overlying marble Ambo from the 12th century. The sarcophagus, according to the belief, would house the remains of magister Stilicho and his wife Serena and is decorated with beautiful paintings including the Traditio Legis, youthful and beardless countenance Christ in the Apostolic college lecturer and attitude. It should be noted on all four sides and down to the smallest details to savor the way down its austere beauty. Not forgetting the two exceptional metal sculptures depicting an eagle and a figure seated on a throne with aureole, remained part of a larger metal depiction attached to the Apostles. Inside the basilica is the shrine of San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro whose original nucleus of preambrosiana era. Here are the mosaic depictions of the martyrs gervasius and protasius and Bishop Ambrosius show characters whose representation of extreme realism. Could result from an official portrait of the Holy performed at a young age. In this space, now the Museum, there are also other significant finds including a lamb Crucifer, marble inlay and glass paste from the choir of the basilica, a series of burials, Nativity, precious metalwork, paintings. A superb rediscovery of one of the most famous and oldest churches in our city.